Universal Engineering Sciences
Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Technical SME
Universal Engineering Sciences, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37955
Senior Geotechnical Engineer – Technical SME
Universal Engineering Sciences (UES) – Knoxville, TN, United States
Overview At UES, we are a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose‑to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more.
Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.
Position Overview UES is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to lead, manage, and provide technical engineering oversight for geotechnical projects from planning through completion for new and existing clients. The Senior Engineer will manage both projects, clients, and geotechnical personnel from various locations, leading design and streamlining daily engineering operations, project scopes, budgets, and schedules. The role is responsible for overseeing technical execution, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance to ensure alignment with business objectives set forth by senior management.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in geotechnical investigations, engineering design, geo‑structural design, and construction oversight, with proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior staff. If you are a technical leader passionate about delivering results and driving technical excellence, we want to hear from you.
This role is remote; location preference is the Southeast or Texas with occasional travel to UES offices or project sites.
Responsibilities
Serve as the technical expert on geotechnical engineering projects of significant complexity and scope.
Develop innovative, cost‑effective, and sustainable geotechnical design solutions.
Provide off‑site project management to complete field testing and ensure accurate and detailed daily field activity, diagrams, and report findings to clients and supervisors.
Classify soils per ASTM standards.
Provide field engineering solutions to issues that arise during the construction process.
Review engineering reports and field recommendations produced by field staff.
Generate reports, recommendations, and other documentation needed by clients, including engineering and design.
Develop and implement project scopes, site meetings, estimates, budgets, schedules, and deliverables to meet client and business objectives.
Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Oversee quality control and adherence to best practices, industry standards (ASTM, AASHTO, ASCE, etc.), and regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance with materials testing and geotechnical best practices.
Lead risk assessments and geotechnical hazard evaluations for infrastructure, environmental remediation, and construction projects.
Coordinate with internal teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
Create, prepare, and update project proposals and technical reports.
Participate in business development, networking, and marketing efforts with new and existing clients.
Maintain excellent communication both verbally and electronically with senior management, other project managers, and colleagues to improve consistency and efficiency in reporting procedures.
Provide mentorship and training to project managers regarding engineering problems or client interactions, fostering technical skill development.
Work independently and collaboratively within office and field environments, adapting to dynamic project needs.
Travel to project sites as needed to conduct inspections, assessments, and provide engineering support.
Ensure strict adherence to company safety protocols, OSHA regulations, and environmental requirements, promoting a culture of workplace safety and compliance.
Core Areas of Analysis
General Geotechnical Explorations
Foundation Evaluations
Pavement Design and Analysis
Settlement Analysis
Slope Stability Analysis
Crane Pad Analysis
Lateral Loading Analysis
Karst Explorations
Construction Site and Geotechnical Hazard Analyses
Expert Witness Work
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (Master’s strongly preferred).
8+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
Recognized expertise in advanced geotechnical modeling, soil‑structure interaction, and ground improvement technologies.
Proven track record of successfully managing large‑scale, complex projects.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
Active participation in professional organizations (e.g., ASCE, DFI, Geo‑Institute) preferred.
Ability to travel extensively for client and project needs.
Travel Requirements
This position requires travel, approximately up to 20% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on‑site work.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man‑made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
Physical requirements include:
Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vision, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach, climb, or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
EEO Statement UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page.
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Overview At UES, we are a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose‑to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more.
Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.
Position Overview UES is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to lead, manage, and provide technical engineering oversight for geotechnical projects from planning through completion for new and existing clients. The Senior Engineer will manage both projects, clients, and geotechnical personnel from various locations, leading design and streamlining daily engineering operations, project scopes, budgets, and schedules. The role is responsible for overseeing technical execution, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance to ensure alignment with business objectives set forth by senior management.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in geotechnical investigations, engineering design, geo‑structural design, and construction oversight, with proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior staff. If you are a technical leader passionate about delivering results and driving technical excellence, we want to hear from you.
This role is remote; location preference is the Southeast or Texas with occasional travel to UES offices or project sites.
Responsibilities
Serve as the technical expert on geotechnical engineering projects of significant complexity and scope.
Develop innovative, cost‑effective, and sustainable geotechnical design solutions.
Provide off‑site project management to complete field testing and ensure accurate and detailed daily field activity, diagrams, and report findings to clients and supervisors.
Classify soils per ASTM standards.
Provide field engineering solutions to issues that arise during the construction process.
Review engineering reports and field recommendations produced by field staff.
Generate reports, recommendations, and other documentation needed by clients, including engineering and design.
Develop and implement project scopes, site meetings, estimates, budgets, schedules, and deliverables to meet client and business objectives.
Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Oversee quality control and adherence to best practices, industry standards (ASTM, AASHTO, ASCE, etc.), and regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance with materials testing and geotechnical best practices.
Lead risk assessments and geotechnical hazard evaluations for infrastructure, environmental remediation, and construction projects.
Coordinate with internal teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
Create, prepare, and update project proposals and technical reports.
Participate in business development, networking, and marketing efforts with new and existing clients.
Maintain excellent communication both verbally and electronically with senior management, other project managers, and colleagues to improve consistency and efficiency in reporting procedures.
Provide mentorship and training to project managers regarding engineering problems or client interactions, fostering technical skill development.
Work independently and collaboratively within office and field environments, adapting to dynamic project needs.
Travel to project sites as needed to conduct inspections, assessments, and provide engineering support.
Ensure strict adherence to company safety protocols, OSHA regulations, and environmental requirements, promoting a culture of workplace safety and compliance.
Core Areas of Analysis
General Geotechnical Explorations
Foundation Evaluations
Pavement Design and Analysis
Settlement Analysis
Slope Stability Analysis
Crane Pad Analysis
Lateral Loading Analysis
Karst Explorations
Construction Site and Geotechnical Hazard Analyses
Expert Witness Work
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (Master’s strongly preferred).
8+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
Recognized expertise in advanced geotechnical modeling, soil‑structure interaction, and ground improvement technologies.
Proven track record of successfully managing large‑scale, complex projects.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
Active participation in professional organizations (e.g., ASCE, DFI, Geo‑Institute) preferred.
Ability to travel extensively for client and project needs.
Travel Requirements
This position requires travel, approximately up to 20% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on‑site work.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man‑made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
Physical requirements include:
Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vision, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach, climb, or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
EEO Statement UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page.
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